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Found 348 matching passages in 220 documents.
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 5, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 5, 2026 (part 2)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1255 by substitute, with an amendment assigning responsibility for sending charging documents to the state rather than court clerks. Discussion focused on evidence-sharing deadlines, delays in criminal cases, and whether prosecutors have enough staff and technology to meet the requirements. The committee also heard HB 1322, which the presenter said would make rioting a felony. Three organizations opposed that bill, raising concerns about unclear language, penalties, protest rights, and bail restrictions. The chair postponed further consideration until the next morning without a vote.
Ben Sessions. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Good afternoon, y'all. I, I sit before you today as a hypocrite. Um, about 10 years ago I sat in a different room across the street, and I talked about why it is that you should, uh, you should vote against a reciprocal discovery bill Um, today I sit before you and tell you that you should vote in favor of...
I think a lot of times we lose sight of what happens just down the street, for example, in the busiest court in the State of Georgia, which is Fulton County State Court. In Fulton County State Court, you routinely have cases that will be accused in 18 months to 24 months after the date of arrest. Roughly two years. A defendant's case is accused, and then it...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 3, 2025 · Introduced
Quality Basic Education Act; history of Black Americans; provide coursework
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 706 would add the history of Black Americans to Georgia's required high school civics coursework and require every public school to hold at least one class period on the topic, encouraged to fall in February.
SECTION 1. Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the "Quality Basic Education Act," is amended in Part 2, relating to competencies and core curriculum, by revising subsections (c) and (e) Code Section 20-2-142.1, relating to coursework in the founding philosophy and principles of the United States of...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 17, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard testimony on changes to self-defense immunity under SB 572, increased penalties for blocking transportation routes under SB 443, an animal-cruelty database under SB 587, sex-offender reporting and risk classifications under SB 468, and AI-generated obscene images under SB 398. Witnesses raised questions about arrest powers, protest rights, supervision resources, protections for teenagers, and liability for AI companies. The chair repeatedly reported that the committee lacked a quorum, and no votes were taken before adjournment. The chair also announced that SB 499 had been removed at the sponsor’s request and would return the next day.
Thank you. All right. Next up we have Amy Barnes. Yeah. Uh, here. My name is Amy Barnes. Pleasure to meet y'all. I'm a criminal defense paralegal with over a decade of experience in multiple counties, and I've worked on very high-profile cases, cases that have made worldwide news. Um, I looked at this, this bill, and regarding the officer at the scene, I...
And when you look at how a case progresses through our judicial system, it goes from arrest to warrant, your probable cause hearings are established, you have your arraignment just mentioned. The thing that is not mentioned, that I have not heard people talk about, is how Fulton County cases can take, oh, I don't know, eight years to get to trial. Would you...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 27, 2025 · Passed
Criminal procedure; pretrial proceedings in capital offense cases where the death penalty is sought when the accused has an intellectual disability; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 123 creates a pretrial process for Georgia courts to decide whether a defendant facing the death penalty has an intellectual disability, and bars execution for anyone found to have one.
SECTION 3. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 17-7-171, relating to time for a demand for speedy trial in capital cases, discharge and acquittal when no trial held before end of two court terms of demand, counting of terms in cases in which death penalty is sought, and special pleas of incompetency, as follows: "(d) If...
SECTION 4. Said title is further amended by revising subsection (b) of Code Section 17-10-35.1, relating to the review of pretrial proceedings when death penalty is sought, reports investigating reversible error, transmittal of reports to Supreme Court, orders regarding review, Attorney General assistance, res judicata, applicability, and waiver of rights,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Rules Committee · March 2, 2026
House Rules Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard requests to move forward a wide range of measures covering taxes, housing, health care, education, public safety, workforce development and state symbols. Members questioned proposals on self-defense cases, income tax cuts, Medicaid eligibility checks, development permits and airport funding. The chair announced that HR 114 and HB 1116 were returned to Ways and Means without opposition, although a subsequent exchange created uncertainty about the first measure's number. Most other measures received brief presentations without questions. No floor calendar selections or votes on those requests were recorded. The chair adjourned the meeting and announced another meeting for 5 p.m.
Um- The prosecuting attorney's council, did they speak for or against? I, I mean, I, I think they were wanting a little more of the wiggle room they have now, but, you know... But I mean, I believe you ha- are in self-defense, the proof is not on you. It's on the government to prove that you're guilty. Um, and right now, you know, we're seeing even the case...
Well, well, for any affirmative defense, the state has the burden to disprove it. So self-defense, um, i- multiple affirmative defenses that exist in our law, the state has the burden to disprove it. So self-defense isn't unique in that regard. I guess my question is, if officers and prosecutors who are closest to the facts of a case- Can, can- ... have the...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 20, 2026 · Introduced
Civil Practice Act; scheduling of civil trials; provide
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 1407 would set detailed new rules for how Georgia courts schedule and call civil jury trials, including calendar deadlines, notice periods, and priority rules for attorneys with multiple cases.
SECTION 1. Article 6 of Chapter 11 of Title 9 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to trials under the "Civil Practice Act," is amended by revising Code Section 9-11-40, relating to time and place of trials, as follows: "9-11-40. (a) Time of trial. All civil cases, including divorce and other domestic relations cases, shall be triable any...
(2) A trial calendar shall be filed and served through the court's electronic filing service no less than 120 days prior to the session of court at which the actions thereon are to be tried. At the same time a trial calendar is filed and served through the court's electronic filing service, it shall also be served on each pro se party via email if said...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 2, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 2, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 237, HB 1432 as amended, and HB 997 by substitute with amendments. Members heard presentations and testimony on HB 984 and HB 1395, but the transcript shows no votes on either. Discussion of HB 968, concerning a kratom ban, ended with the chair postponing action until Thursday over concerns about incorporating federal drug classifications into Georgia law. The committee also began reviewing a substitute for HB 1255, concerning the exchange of evidence in criminal cases, and continued that discussion until Thursday without a vote. The chair announced that HB 1142 had been removed from the day's agenda at the sponsor's request and would return Thursday.
This was previously within 10 days. A court can still order a different timeline. Lines 373 through 382 changes the timeline to within 30 days of arraignment, but no later than 30 days prior to trial for when the prosecution must provide witness statements. Lines 383 through 391 changes the timeline for when the state must furnish their witness information...
And this would, uh, also attempt to update our subpoena service rules. Um, I'll go through section by section as quickly as possible. Section 1, and this is LC481803S that we're presenting here. Uh, Section 1 covers that a copy of an indictment from a grand jury must be either mailed or electronically transmitted to the defendant and attorney if none within...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 17, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 17, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced HB 1226, HB 675, HB 35, HB 1131 and HB 1075 after presentations and voice votes. Those measures address self-defense procedures, support for foreign terrorist organizations, special-prosecutor pay, notice of warrant application hearings and penalties for pimping after a trafficking conviction. The committee also heard HB 984, which would help investigators locate possible abuse victims who have moved, and planned to bring it back the following week. Members raised concerns about the scope and privacy rules of a proposed domestic violence registry in HB 1142, and the chair requested a revised version without taking a vote. After testimony raised concerns about the substitute for HB 421, concerning child enticement, the chair adjourned and said it would return Thursday.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, yeah, obviously, this is my community as well. Sheriff Long is our sheriff in, in Butts County, and, um, he and I have known each other a long, long time. Um, but to your point, I think that, yes, this is-- he's using that case as an illustration, but I think it's highlighted an issue that we have. This is, this has shown us a...
Um, so shifting back. So I guess my first question for the body would be, um, we're-- if we're looking at lines twenty-two through twenty-five, um... Shifting over, I wanna go to twenty-eight. Shift down. Uh, from twenty-eight through thirty-three, um, if, if I-- if we can contemplate, you know, what that means for law enforcement. 'Cause in my experience,...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 5, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 5, 2026 (AM)
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 285, HB 984 and HB 1142, and rejected HB 682, which concerned death sentences based only on one eyewitness. After extensive testimony, members approved an amended HB 968 to restrict kratom sales to pharmacies and ban synthetic products. Members set aside HB 804 after questions about its proposed marijuana pardons. The committee also heard HB 496, concerning cannabis odor as grounds for searches, but took no vote before recessing until 12:30 p.m.
Yes.
Representative Leesa Hagan, House Bill 1142. You can fire when you're ready. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Do have a sub, uh, naturally. I think we've had 12 at this point. Uh, LC620467S. And just for brevity and time constraints that we do have, if you want to just explain what you changed within the sub. Absolutely. The main change in the sub you will find on...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 5, 2025 · Introduced
State Board of Education; appointment of state school superintendent effective not later than January 1, 2031; provide - CA
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House resolution would ask voters to amend the state constitution so the State School Superintendent is appointed by the State Board of Education instead of elected, starting no later than 2031, and would change how State Board members are chosen.
(b) Upon indictment for a felony by a grand jury of this state or by the United States, which felony indictment relates to the performance or activities of the office of any public official, the Attorney General or district attorney shall transmit a certified copy of the indictment to the Governor or, if the indicted public official is the Governor, to the...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 19, 2026 · Introduced
Georgia Child Care Alternatives, Resources, and Education Act; Trixtian's Law; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House bill would require pregnancy testing for women held more than 72 hours after arrest, cap bail at $100 for pregnant arrestees who are not dangerous, and require judges to delay prison sentences for pregnant women in favor of supervised probation.
The House Committee on Judiciary, Non-Civil offers the following substitute to HB 1398: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 17 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to arrest by law enforcement officers generally, so as to revise provisions relating to the arrests of pregnant women; to provide that women who...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 9, 2026 · Introduced
Criminal procedure; motions and discovery; modify provisions
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A House Judiciary substitute would overhaul Georgia's criminal discovery rules, setting new deadlines for prosecutors and defendants to exchange evidence and adding detailed disclosure requirements for expert witnesses.
(2) The state or prosecuting attorney shall, no later than ten days prior to trial within 30 days of the defendant's arraignment but no later than 30 days prior to trial, or as otherwise ordered by the court, furnish to the defendant a copy of the defendant's Georgia Crime Information Center criminal history, if any, as is within the possession, custody, or...
(B) With respect to any books,; papers,; documents,; photographs,; tangible objects,; audio and visual tapes, including tapes created by third parties and data from posted security cameras and automated license readers; films; and recordings, or copies or portions thereof which are within the possession, custody, or control of the state or prosecution...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 23, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved nine bills covering vehicle obstruction of law enforcement, firearm suppressors, sexual exploitation of vulnerable adults, interstate travel for child molestation, reckless stunt-driving vehicle forfeiture, sexual-assault evidence retention, zoo animal protections, controlled-substance scheduling and drug possession around children. Members debated whether existing laws already covered vehicle obstruction and whether removing state suppressor restrictions would hinder police responses to gunfire. The committee amended the stunt-driving proposal to require conviction before forfeiture and amended the child-endangerment proposal to address lawful medications and medical cannabis. Four other bills were postponed until Wednesday. All nine approved bills were sent to Rules, with no numerical vote totals announced.
And to your point, it is not the person who's convicted who would have a right to re- to keep that car. In fact, the title has to be transferred to such other family member who is a duly licensed operator, et cetera, et cetera. So it, it does not contemplate giving, keeping that title with the person who's causing the harm. It contemplates keeping the title...
I've, I think, I, I think taking people's stuff after proving beyond a reasonable doubt just we would have much less concern than taking it because you've been accused. That's fair. That's a fair... That's fair. Mm-hmm. Appreciate your testimony. Sure. Thank you. Okay. Let's see. Number six. Thank you to the chair. Uh, good to see you. Uh, so just a quick...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Industry and Labor Committee · February 4, 2026
House Industry and Labor Committee, February 4, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee heard testimony on HB 574, which would remove state workers’ compensation coverage for workers covered by the federal maritime program. Supporters said requiring only one system would reduce employers’ insurance costs and support port growth. Opponents said losing access to Georgia’s system would leave injured workers waiting much longer for disputed benefits and asked for more study. Members questioned witnesses about delays, insurance savings, attorney fees and employers’ protection from lawsuits. A motion to table the bill failed, with four members voting in favor of tabling. The committee then approved a do-pass motion by a show of hands. The final vote count was not announced.
Right. But we had a, a separate issue at that time, as you mentioned, with this double-dipping. Uh, I'd just like to start out by saying that, uh, I saw Ron Stephens here. I'm one of his constituents from Savannah, and, uh, he does a great job for us. We may not agree on everything, but he does a good job. The thing that I wanna point out is that there's...
The, the longshore worker, Sam Greene, uh, that was talked about earlier, I mean, that's my client. You know, he got work, work, he got hurt working for Gateway. It was an accepted case, you know, when the, when the container fell and injured his back and neck where he needed neck surgery. You know, he was getting his workers' comp benefits, and then...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · February 25, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, February 25, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee advanced HB 1226 on self-defense immunity, HB 821 on bail decisions for assaults against public safety officers, HB 1398 on alternatives to incarceration for pregnant and postpartum women, and HB 1282 on prosecution deadlines for aggravated sexual battery against children. Members amended HB 821 to cover aggravated assault against public safety officers beyond cases involving gunfire. HB 1154, which would expand the death penalty to trafficking offenses, failed for lack of a motion after constitutional concerns were raised. The chair requested more work on HB 1142, concerning a domestic violence registry, and HB 894, concerning review of long prison sentences. The committee also heard extensive testimony on HB 496, which would limit reliance on cannabis odor for police action. No vote occurred on that proposal because the committee lost its quorum.
And so I mean, I believe it should be on the table, um, for the jury if they want to give the, uh, death penalty. Okay, thank you. Representative Roberts. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, let me start by saying I agree with you, sex trafficking is horrendous and heinous, and by no means am I advocating that, um, for that or that anybody should get away with that....
Go ahead. Since I don't have any of my colleagues here, hope you'll indulge me a minute. Um, so I don't disagree, but this bill doesn't shorten any time, and the Supreme Court has found multiple times that the Eighth Amendment applies, and that the crime has to involve a death, which I think is probably the worst evil, is murdering, taking another life. Um,...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · January 29, 2025 · Passed
Appeal and error; judgments deemed directly appealable; change a provision
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 176 changes Georgia's rules for criminal appeals, creating a new process for defendants to seek late permission to appeal or request a new trial, and setting clearer deadlines for withdrawing guilty pleas.
House Bill 176 (AS PASSED HOUSE AND SENATE) By: Representatives Smith of the 18th, Gunter of the 8th, Evans of the 57th, and Miller of the 62nd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Title 5 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to appeal and error, so as to change a provision relating to judgments deemed directly appealable; to change...
If the judge grants such motion, the defendant shall have 30 days to file an out-of-time motion for new trial or notice of appeal and the judge shall have the discretion to allow an extension of time for filing such motion or notice as set forth in Code Section 5-6-39. (3) An indigent defendant shall have the right to the assistance of counsel to seek any...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee · March 26, 2026
House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee, March 26, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved three bills for consideration by the Rules Committee. SB 572 would change procedures and burdens of proof for self-defense immunity claims. Witnesses disagreed about whether it would better protect defendants or complicate arrests and court proceedings. The committee narrowed SB 398 to language amending the existing peeping statute and added a knowledge requirement. The committee also approved a substitute for SB 61 addressing online impersonation, scams and certain violent-felony-related content, after removing provisions that a member said could conflict with federal protections for online platforms. The transcript does not establish a complete numerical vote tally for any bill.
If I'm an officer, I don't read this law to say that I have to have a hearing. I read this law to say that if they both claim, there's n- nothing in the bill that defines what a prima facie showing is. That means that they're saying, "I acted in self-defense." That is a prima facie showing without some standard attached to it. It doesn't say it needs to be...
The prosecution has zero risk. They can bring anything that they can get an indictment on, and they laugh about the fact that they can get an indictment on a ham sandwich. It's something we all laugh about, although it's not funny if you're the ham sandwich. So, um, the prosecution already has a very high burden on self-defense. When they go to trial as...
Meeting transcript · Georgia House Judiciary Committee · February 23, 2026
House Judiciary Committee, February 23, 2026
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): The committee approved HB 1365, HB 1364 and HB 688, along with amended versions of HB 1221 and HB 1348. These measures concerned an additional superior court judge, timeshare foreclosures, delivery of court documents, homeowners’ association collection practices and court-appointed receivers’ pay. Much of the meeting focused on HB 1223, which would restrict public access to recordings depicting death. Members heard arguments about family privacy, commercial use of footage, news reporting and public oversight. The committee adopted several amendments but rejected a proposed news-media exception. With another amendment still unresolved, the chair postponed further work until Wednesday at 1 p.m. No final vote on that bill occurred.
But the attorney's fees were 1,920 bucks. We offered to split them 50/50. The HOA said no. Hm. And so the lawsuit went on. This is in, uh, February of 2020, and the pandemic comes along, and by the time we get to trial, three years has gone by, and for some reason, uh, they've piled up $2,900 worth of additional attorney's fees in the three years while...
All right. Basically, you're using the wording here. Yes. Okay. Is there any addition to it? Uh, well, um ... You might have to change 17. 17. That's all right. Yeah. Correct. Have to take it out. And then if you just wanna delete lines 20 through 23. Uh, just d- don't look at lines 20 ... I made changes on there, but don't incorporate those changes on...
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · February 21, 2025 · Passed
Georgia Survivor Justice Act; enact
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): House Bill 582, the Georgia Survivor Justice Act, lets defendants and already-sentenced people use evidence of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by an alleged victim to support self-defense claims and seek reduced sentences, while also rewriting the oath and misconduct rules for Georgia peace officers.
SECTION 10. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Georgia Survivor Justice Act."
Bill or resolution · Georgia House of Representatives · March 16, 2026 · Introduced
House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; create
Summary by Georgia Commons (AI-written): A Georgia House resolution would create a 12-member study committee to examine long delays in resolving ineffective assistance of counsel claims after criminal convictions, with a report due by December 1, 2026.
House Resolution 1703 By: Representatives Gunter of the 8th, Smith of the 18th, Leverett of the 123rd, Panitch of the 51st, Holcomb of the 101st, and others A RESOLUTION Creating the House Study Committee on Criminal Post-Conviction Litigation; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I,...
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